5 volume set : "USSR and WW2"

[Christophe]

I bought a few weeks ago this 5 volume set : "L'URSS dans la Seconde Guerre Mondiale" (USSR during WW2).

It can be compared to the 6 volume set History of Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union 1941-1945, described in this thread : 6 volume History GPW
But it seems - at least - to be a different work and edition (maps are all designed in the same style, different of the one posted, etc...).

5 huge volumes - 350-600 pages each.

Published in Italy and then in France in 1966-1968.

The officials authors : 7 Soviet Union Marshals : N.Bagramian, S.Biriouzov, I.Koniev, R.Malinovski, C.Rokossovski, V.Sokolovski and M.Zakharov.

Other authors (sorry for some of the names written in the French style) : 15 military experts (Marshals, Admirals and Generals) : A.Vassilievski, K.Meretchkov, G.Zhoukov, I.Fejouninski, V.Tchioukov, A.Eremenko, K.Teleguine, A.Golovko, N.Voronov, B.Vannikov, K.Krajnioukov, S.Krassovski, P.Rotmistrov, A.Khroulev, N.Popel, and 21 witnesses.

The 5 volumes are the following :

* Vol 1 : 1941 : Blitzkrieg to the East.
* Vol 2 : 1942 : From retreat to Stalingrad.
* Vol 3 : 1943 : The Red Army counter-attacks
* Vol 4 : 1944 : The Soviet offensive, from Polar Circle to Danube
* Vol 5 : 1945 : From Vistula to Berlin.

Includes thousand of pictures from Novosti and other agencies.

Ch.

[Dolf]

Christophe,

I can only count 5 volumes...

I recently heard about a similar title, also 6 or 7 volumes (in the Portuguese edition anyway), I believe it's "Russia at War" in English, and the author would be Alexander Werth. Any opinions about this one?

Merci.

Dolf

[Christophe]

Originally Posted by Dolf

I can only count 5 volumes...
Dolf

Dolf,

Ooops !!
My mistake !!

There are only 5 volumes !! I must have been influenced by Dave's 6 volume set...

I correct it immediately. Many thanks to your eagle eye !!

Ch.

[Christophe]

Originally Posted by Dolf

I recently heard about a similar title, also 6 or 7 volumes (in the Portuguese edition anyway), I believe it's "Russia at War" in English, and the author would be Alexander Werth. Any opinions about this one?
Dolf

Dolf,

Sorry, I never heard about this title. I will try to investigate... Maybe another Forum Member has an opinion about it ?

Ch.

[Christophe]

Written in 1964, here is what Amazon says about it :

"In this widely acclaimed history of a country at war, Alexander Werth unfolds in startling human terms the story of the Russian people and their leaders in the Soviet conflict with the Nazis from the disasters of the Second World War to the beginnings of the Cold War. Himself an eyewitness to the shattering historical drama he vividly records, Werth offers an intensely detailed chronicle of the events that exceeded in savagery and hatred any other on Russian soil. From the hardships of the citizenry to the sweep of massive military operations to the corridors of diplomacy, this modern classic captures every aspect of the grim but heroic Soviet-German war that turned Russia into the most powerful nation in the Old World."

You can also see readers' comments on Amazon's site.

Ch.

[Christophe]

Here is the content of the book.

Any other comment from Forum Members having read this book are welcome.

Ch.

[Christophe]

Content 2.

[Christophe]

Content 3.

[Dolf]

Christphe,

Thanks a lot for the great research!
Bravo!

I'll have a look at amazon, for prices, availability, etc
But as you say, any comments from any other Forum members having read one or both these titles would be very much appreciated.

Best,

Dolf

[Christophe]

Originally Posted by Dolf

But as you say, any comments from any other Forum members having read one or both these titles would be very much appreciated.
Dolf

Absolutely !!
This book - written in 1964, not to forget - has generated a lot of passionated comments; Alexander Werth having sometimes been accused of being a Soviet-apologist...
I put it in my list of "books to read" to have my own opinion.
Meanwhile, any other comment from those who already have read it ?

Ch.